USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 28
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
Mr. Bruns is a member of the Evangelical church and a repub- lican in his political beliefs. He stands high in business and social circles and his long residence here has made him well known through- out the county.
FRED PLAGGE.
Fred Plagge, a practical and representative agriculturist of Franklin county, owning and operating seven hundred and twenty acres of choice land in Marion township, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, June 23, 1864. He is a son of Fred and Louisa Plagge, also natives of Germany, both of whom have passed away.
Fred Plagge was reared in his native country, acquiring his edu- cation in the public schools. In 1887 he came to America and settled in Franklin county, Iowa, where in 1890 he purchased land. He bought one hundred and sixty acres in Marion township and to this has since added from time to time until he owns seven hundred and twenty acres. This farm is highly improved and in excellent con- dition, showing the results of the care and labor its owner has bestowed upon it.
Mr. Plagge has been twice married. He wedded first Miss Louisa Dohrman, by whom he had three children: Emma and Louis, at home; and Ida, deceased. On the 3d of March, 1899, Mr. Plagge wedded Miss Lena Marz, a native of Germany, and they became the parents of eight children : Martin, who has passed away; and Emil, Fred, Walter, Metta, Esther, Wilbert and Clarence, all at home.
Mr. Plagge is a member of the Evangelical church and a repub- lican in his political views. As a resident of Marion township for twenty-three years he has been loyal in his advocacy of everything pertaining to the welfare of the city and has made some substantial contributions to its development and progress.
JOHN HOMER WAGNER.
John Homer Wagner, engaged in general farming upon a quar- ter section of land in Osceola township, was born on a farm on section 9, this township, and is a son of Isaiah and Sarah Wagner, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. He
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was reared at home and from an early age became familiar with the best methods of farm operation. When he was twenty-one he rented eighty acres of land on section 9, Osceola township, and he has since increased this to a quarter section. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and has a fine herd of registered Holstein cattle. His interests are all carefully and capably managed and they have brought him a gratifying measure of success.
On the 8th of October, 1902, Mr. Wagner was united in mar- riage to Miss Ethel Le Valley, a native of Butler county, and to them have been born two children: Theodore Glenn, whose birth occurred February 18, 1905; and Robert. Russell, born October 16, 1908.
Mr. Wagner is a member of the Methodist church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. As a native son of Franklin county he has been loyal in his advocacy of everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and has made some sub- stantial contributions to its development and progress.
DELOS W. MOTT.
Delos W. Mott ranked with the pioneer settlers of Iowa and with the most progressive citizens whose activity and enterprise have been the chief factors in bringing about the upbuilding and present pros- perity of the state. From the time of his arrival here until his death he was engaged in commercial and agricultural pursuits, and such was his force of character and undaunted enterprise that he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook.
Mr. Mott was a son of Jonathan and Charlotte (Crumb) Mott, the latter a daughter of John W. Crumb. Her death occurred April 15, 1848, and for his second wife Jonathan Mott chose Elinda Col- burn, who died in 1882. There were four sons of the first marriage and Delos W., the second in order of birth, was born in Otsego county, New York, November 11, 1832. He attended the district schools and also spent one year in the Maysville Academy. He engaged in teaching in Ellery, Chautauqua county, New York, and also in a high school in South New Berlin, New York, where he remained until 1853. He afterward taught in Columbus, Chenango county, and went to Indiana for a short time. After a visit home he returned to Indiana, and in 1856 he started for Iowa, making his way partly on foot and partly by stage to Fort Dodge. He walked
DELOS W. MOTT
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altogether more than two hundred miles to lowa Falls, meeting with many hardships and privations but persevering until his pur- pose was accomplished. In 1863 he and his brother, Albert Mott, embark 'd in the grain business and later became active factors in the cattl . trade. In 1865, in company with two others, they started by steamboat upon a trip to sell merchandise, visiting points along and near the I'ver. In this way was laid the foundation for the pros- perity that afterward attended Delos W. Mott, Sr., and his brother. They had n.any narrow escapes from being raided by the guerrilla bands. During most of their trips Mrs. Mott accompanied her hus- band and had many thrilling experiences to recount later on. The business of the two brothers increased and at one time they were the owners of three tores, one at Caroline Ledge, one at Leota Ledge and a third at Lake Washington. They also became extensively engaged in cotton planting in 1868. Subsequently they returned to Iowa and bought land, owning large tracts at one time and becoming leading farmers of their section of the state. Mr. Mott belonged to that prac- tical and progressive type of men who embody the spirit of advance- ment in all that they undertake. He was interested in the progress that should be made in the farming communities and for two terms he acted as a trustee of the Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa. His life was, indeed, a busy, useful and active one. He came to Franklin county in 1856, but after a short stay went to Cedar Falls, where he remained for thirteen years, when, in 1869, he again came to Frank- lin county, taking up his permanent abode here. He was in the eightieth year of his age when death called him, for his birth occurred on the IIth of November, 1832, and he passed away in Hampton on the 29th of November, 1911. For eighteen years he had survived his wife, who died July 12, 1893. It was on the 12th of June, 1859, that they were married. Mrs. Mott was a daughter of H. P. Jones, of New Haven, Connecticut, who was proprietor of a hotel in that city but afterward came to the middle west, settling at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he occupied the position of principal of the schools. Mrs. Mott returned to Cedar Falls and there Delos Wells Mott was born October 18, 1868. The only daughter of the family died in infancy. Mrs. Mott was a remarkable woman, pos- sessing may splendid traits of character, her good qualities of heart and mind endearing her to all with whom she was brought in contact. She died on the 12th of July, 1893, and in 1895 Mr. Mott wedded Harriet Ankeny, of Polk county, who survives.
Delos Wells Mott, the only son of Delos W. Mott, Sr., is one of the extensive landowners of Franklin county, his holdings embrac-
Vol. 11-19
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ing two thousand acres. He resides in Hampton and from that point superintends his investments and farming interests. lowa num- bers him among her native sons and classes him with those citizens of whom she has every reason to be proud. He was born in Cedar Falls on the 18th of October, 1868. He entered the public schools at the usual age and therein pursued his education until 1886, when, at the age of seventeen years, he became a student in Ames College, which he attended for one term. The greater part of his training, however, was of the practical character, received under the direc- tion of his father, whom he always assisted in the work and man- agement of the farm until the father retired from active business life. Delos Wells Mott married about that time and took charge of the farm of forty-two hundred acres. He is now the owner of two thousand acres of valuable land in Franklin county-land which returns to him a most gratifying annual income. He purchased the fine home of Senator Harriman and is now most pleasantly located in Hampton, his attention being given to the supervision of his invested interests.
On the 26th of November, 1899, Mr. Mott was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Kelly, a native of Scotland, and unto them has been born a son, Delos, who is the pride and life of the household. The parents hold membership in the Congregational church, and theirs is a hospitable home, whose good cheer is largely enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Mott belongs to the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity and has many friends in that organization as well as in other relations of life. He is a native son of Iowa, possessing the enter- prising spirit characteristic of the middle west, and in all of his business affairs he brooks no obstacles that can be overcome by earn- est, persistent and honorable effort.
PETER MADSON.
Peter Madson, connected with mercantile interests of Coulter as a dealer in implements and automobiles, was born in De Kalb county, Illinois, February 27, 1878. He is a son of Soren and Marie (Knudsen) Madson, natives of Denmark, who came to America in 1868. They came to Franklin county, this state, in 1883, and located in Hamilton township, where the father engaged in farm- ing for many years. He afterward removed to Montana, where he now resides, having survived his wife since 1905. To their union
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were born four children: Peter, of this review; Marie, who mar- ried J. Oleson, of Montana; Celia, the wife of J. Olesen, of Eugene, Oregon ; and Carl, of the same city.
Peter Madson supplemented his public-school education by one year in college at Elkhorn, Iowa. After he laid aside his books he turned his attention to farming and in 1901 purchased two hun- dred acres of land in Hamilton township which he sold after his return from Oregon, having spent some time in that state and North Dakota. In 1910 he came to Coulter and here established himself in the implement and automobile business, in which he has since con- tinued. He has a fine modern store, forty-eight by eighty feet in dimensions, and controls a large patronage, for his business methods are upright and honorable and his prices reasonable. He owns in addition a comfortable home in Coulter and a one hundred and sixty acre farm in Hampton township.
On the 4th of April, 1900, Mr. Madson married Miss Minnie Hansen, a daughter of Jense Hansen, and to them have been born four children: Anita, Gilberta, Leon and Vera. Mr. Madson is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political support to the republican party. He has served as township clerk and school director and has proven capable and reliable in positions of public trust and responsibility. He is one of the progressive and able men of Coulter and through his ability and energy has acquired a high standing in commercial circles.
GEORGE H. ALLEN.
George H. Allen, a progressive and practical agriculturist of Ingham township, was born in that part of Franklin county, April 27, 1885, a son of J. K. and Christiana (Hanawalt) Allen, natives of Pennsylvania. The parents came to this county in 1877, locating on section 35, Ingham township. The mother died while on a visit to California, January 10, 1911, but the father still resides in Ingham township. To them were born twelve children: William H., of Ingham township; Mary C., the wife of William Albright, of Grundy county, Iowa; Joseph R., of Geneva township; Samuel F., of Hotchkiss, Colorado; Harvey W., residing on the old homestead ; John and Rebecca, deceased; Anna M .; Hattie E., who married Ezra Burn, of Ingham township; George H., of this review; Frank K., of Ingham township; and a daughter who died in infancy.
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George H. Allen acquired his education in the district schools and after laying aside his books taught school for one year. He then turned his attention to farming on his father's homestead and this property he has since managed. He has eighty acres under cultivation and has improved the farm in every particular, making it a valuable and productive property.
On January 1, 1908, Mr. Allen married Miss Bertha E. Delp, a native of Iowa, and they have two children: G. Earl, who was born May 11, 1909; and Ralph K., born July 24, 1911.
Mr. Allen is independent in his political views and particularly interested in school affairs, serving at the present time as secretary of the school board. He has lived in Ingham township from his birth to the present time and his upright and honorable life has merited the warm and lasting regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
JENS H. NUMELIN.
Jens H. Numelin, who since 1910 has been connected with the Interstate Lumber Company of Coulter as manager, was born in Denmark, June 11, 1880. He is a son of Jens and Marie (Windelow) Numelin, also natives of Denmark, where their deaths occurred. In their family were the following children: Jensina and Agnes, of Denmark; Wilhemina and Johannah, deceased ; Regina and Marius, of Denmark; Jens H., of this review; and Hans Peter, also of Den- mark.
Jens H. Numelin acquired his education in the public schools of his native country and when he laid aside his books learned the shoemaker's trade. Afterward, however, he turned his attention to the hotel business. In 1899 he came to America and settled in Franklin county, this state, where he engaged in merchandising until 1910, when he was made manager of the Interstate Lumber Company at Coulter. This responsible position he still holds and he discharges its duties in a way which reflects credit upon his in- dustry, enterprise and business discrimination.
On the 30th of September, 1903, Mr. Numelin was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hanson, and they have become the parents of four children: Walter, Helen, Arnold and Esther. Mr. Numelin is a member of the Lutheran church. He gives his political alle- giance to the republican party and is now serving in a capable man-
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ner as a member of the school board. He is a young man of energy, ambition and enterprise and he will undoubtedly be carried forward into still more important relations with business interests of the com- munity.
WILLIAM C. RICE.
For over forty years William C. Rice has been a resident of Franklin county, having come here in 1870. In early days he made his living as a hunter when wild animals were still plentiful and he is now a successful apiarist. He was born in Indiana, January 6, 1838, and is a son of Nicholas and Delilah (Samuels) Rice. The father, a boat builder by trade, moved to Knox county, Illinois, in 1838, and came to Iowa in 1851, locating in Hardin county, where he built the first sawmill. When he settled in that county there were only five other families in the neighborhood. He passed the rest of his life there, and his wife died in Cherokee county. They were the parents of ten children: Jacob K., of Port Angeles, Washington ; Jonathan, deceased ; Henry Harrison, also deceased; James N., of Cherokee county ; William C .; Marilda S., the widow of W. B. Fail, of Kansas; Catherine and Emma, deceased; Clementine T., the widow of Charles Marx, of Lemon Cove, California; and N. John, also of Lemon Cove, that state.
William C. Rice was reared under the parental roof and ac- quired such an education as the early schools provided. At the age of seventeen he worked in a sawmill his father owned and for seven years followed that occupation in Hardin county. After his mar- riage he turned his attention to farming, buying in 1862 eighty acres of land near Ackley, at the rate of six dollars per acre, and re- mained there for about three years. He greatly improved this property, selling three years later at twenty-five dollars per acre. He then removed to Ackley, where at that time the Illinois Central Railroad was in course of construction. Mr. Rice had been quite successful as a hunter in those days, shoot- ing elk and other wild animals. He shipped these to New York, having a contract with a firm in that city. As a game collector he also trapped and caught buffalo, cranes, wild geese, beaver, swan and antelope. Mr. Rice was for many years a hunter and disposed of his animals at an advantageous price in eastern markets. He cap- tured more wolves than any other man in his section, receiving a
.
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bounty for his efforts, and he estimates the number of these animals that he killed at over three thousand.
In 1870 Mr. Rice came to Franklin county, locating at Oakland Valley, and there he has since made his home. He has given much attention to bee culture and has derived a gratifying income from this source. He owns one block and two lots in Oakland and is also the possessor of twenty acres of valuable timber and farm land.
On September 25, 1856, Mr. Rice was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Barnum, a relative of P. T. Barnum, and a daughter of Jabez and Anna L. (Goodsell) Barnum, natives of New York. Mrs. Rice, at the age of seventeen, taught the first school held at Steamboat Rock, lowa. Her father was one of the pioneers of Hardin county, having entered land there in 1854.
Both parents passed away in that county. They had the following children: Abraham G., Joseph S. and Olive, deceased; a son and a daughter who died in infancy; Mary Elizabeth, the wife of our subject; and Cordelia, Emory E., Anna and Lura, all deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rice had ten children: Frank M., of Popejoy; Rosetta, deceased; Burton B., of Nebraska; Irene M., of Cedar Falls; Iva L., who married F. C. Holmes, of Iowa Falls; Myrta D., the wife of L. B. Patterson, of Des Moines, Iowa; Daisy M., at home, who is a teacher in the Waterloo schools; Blanche R., also a teacher, and the widow of T. W. Christopher, at home; Loretta V., of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and a son who died in infancy.
Mr. Rice is one of the well known and highly esteemed resi- dents of this section. Although he has passed his seventy-sixth birthday, he is still hale and hearty and takes interest in all affairs that affect his township, county, state or nation. In his political faith he is a progressive republican and for two terms has served as township assessor of Oakland township, performing his duties in a highly satisfactory manner. He has the full confidence of his friends and neighbors, who know him to be a man of good char- acter and a public-spirited citizen.
WILL L. LUKE.
Will L. Luke, cashier of the Bradford Savings Bank, was born in Galena, Illinois, September 9, 1880. He is a son of Captain John W. and Sarah (Yerington) Luke, the former a native of New York and the latter of Michigan. They came to Iowa in 1882 and located
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near Hampton, where the father engaged in the practice of law until his death, December 21, 1895. His wife survives him and makes her home in Hampton. To their union were born nine children: Frank, a resident of Hampton; John Y., an attorney of Ames, Iowa; Walter B., of Hampton; Hattie, who married F. E. Webb of the same city ; Minnie, the wife of S. E. Campbell, of Hampton; Charles L., a resident of Winterset, Iowa; W. L., of this review; Fred P., of Canyon, Texas; and Andrew H., of Hampton.
W. L. Luke acquired his education in the public schools of Hamp- ton, graduating from the high school in 1899. He was afterward associated with Mr. Boehmler in the shoe business for nine years and following this served for four years as deputy county auditor. In 1911 he made an entire change in his active interests, accepting the position as cashier in the Bradford Savings Bank. This he has filled with credit and ability since that time. He has gained a high place in financial circles of this locality and holds the confidence and esteem of his superiors and associates.
On the 4th of February, 1906, Mr. Luke was united in mar- riage to Miss Ruth Richards and both are well known in social cir- cles of Franklin county. Mr. Luke is a member of the Methodist church and is connected fraternally with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political alle- giance to the republican party and in matters of citizenship is help- ful and progressive, cooperating in many projects for community advancement. Although still a young man, he occupies a respon- sible and important position, and he will undoubtedly be carried forward by the force of his ability and ambition into still more im- portant relations with financial interests of the locality.
HENRY WITTE.
Henry Witte, who since 1906 has owned and operated a fine farm of eighty acres on section 10, Mott township, was born in Ger- many, November 7, 1872. He is a son of Henry and Sophia (Har- mann) Witte, also natives of Germany, where the mother passed away in May, 1904, and where the father still resides. They became the parents of eight children : Henry, of this review; Minnie, the wife of William Fink, of Franklin county; Fred, of Latimer; Wil- liam, of Germany; Herman, also of Latimer; Sophia, the wife of
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William Meyer, of Latimer; August, of Hampton; and a child who died in infancy.
Henry Witte remained at home until he was sixteen years of age and then came to America, settling in Franklin county, Iowa, where he turned his attention to the carpenter's trade. In 1906 he abandoned that occupation and began farming, buying eighty acres of land on section 10, Mott township. He has built a modern res- idence upon this property and substantial barns and outbuildings and has striven in every way possible to make the farm productive and valuable. He follows always the most practical and progress- ive methods and has been very successful in the conduct of his interests.
On the 15th of November, 1905, Mr. Witte was united in mar- riage to Miss Clara Fink, a daughter of Christ and Elizabeth (Hendricks) Fink, natives of Germany. In their family were four children: William, of Franklin county; Emma, the wife of Wil- liam Bramer, of Mott township; Clara, wife of the subject of this review; and Joseph, of Mott township. Mr. and Mrs. Witte have one son, Wilbert F., born May 1, 1909.
Mr. Witte is a member of the Lutheran church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Although he takes an intelligent interest in public affairs he is not active as an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business in- terests, in which he is meeting with well deserved success.
GEORGE EDGAR WAGNER.
George Edgar Wagner, a representative and popular citizen of Faulkner, well known in business circles of that city and of Ackley, was born in Franklin county, February 26, 1873. He is a son of Isaiah and Sarah E. (Jacobs) Wagner, natives of Illinois, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.
George E. Wagner acquired his early education in a district school and later attended the academy at Ackley. Following this he turned his attention to farming in Franklin county, and at the end of three years became a partner with F. S. Whitney in the general mercantile business. After two years Mr. Wagner purchased his partner's interest and ran the business alone for fifteen years, meet- ing with gratifying success. After he disposed of this enterprise he invested in Ackley, where he has since conducted a garage in part-
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nership with Charles W. Blake. They handle the Cadillac, Em- pire, Detroiter and Metz cars and do a large business, both being reliable, progressive and active business men. Mr. Wagner makes his home in Faulkner, where he owns a comfortable modern resi- dence. He is also the proprietor of the telephone system there and is well known and highly regarded in business circles.
On the Ist of June, 1898, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Grace E. Finch, and they have become the parents of three children: Finch I., born December 14, 1901; Fay E., born October 23, 1903; Lynne Opal, born October 2, 1909.
Mr. Wagner is a republican in his political beliefs and he takes an intelligent interest in public affairs. He is recognized as a bus- iness man of marked energy and laudable ambition, who seldom fails to carry forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes.
SAMUEL BONEWITZ.
Samuel Bonewitz, a progressive and successful farmer of Osceola township, operating one hundred and sixty acres on section 13, was born in Germany, September 17, 1866. He is a son of John and Mary (Nerdig) Bonewitz, also natives of that country. The father came to America in 1881 and located in Grundy county, Iowa. In 1886 he returned to Germany and brought his wife and children to the new world, this time locating in Franklin county. He and his wife now make their home in Ackley. To them were born four children: Samuel, of this review; Elizabeth, the wife of D. Fritzel, of Grundy county ; Henry, of Floyd county; and William, of Frank- lin county.
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